CU*NorthWest Conference Sparks Lending Smack Down

The CU*NorthWest Leadership conference in Liberty Lake, Wash., sparked a CU smack down after a rousing roundtable discussion.

Jennifer Oliver, CEO of the $83 million, 7,000-member South Bay Credit Union in Redondo Beach, Calif., told the group of credit union leaders at the recent confab about how her office had divided into teams and started a competition to increase loans. She then suggested that it might be fun to do the same competition with another credit union.

Evie Rasmussen, CEO of the $35 million, 7,800-member United Advantage Northwest FCU in Portland, Ore., rose to the challenge and the smack talk.

“There’s just too much sun in California to get much done,” said Rasmussen. “While they’re talking we’re bringing in the apps and moving our numbers forward.”

Announcing the new competition to her staff she laid out the challenge.

“UA’s explosive offense, focused determination and obvious superior staff are simply too much for South Bay to overcome,” she said. “Apparently, the heat and sun on the brains of Jen Oliver were simply too much when she challenged the veracity of UA.”

Oh, snap.

“We can beat that, do it in flip flops and still have time in the sun to maintain our healthy glow,” Oliver shot back, according to CU*NorthWest, a core processing CUSO affiliated with the cuasterisk network. “You might think of enjoying some sunshine this weekend, Vitamin D helps stamina.”

And so the stage is set. On July 1 the compitition began and will end Sept. 30 where the two credit unions will vie for the highest net consumer loan growth.

“While making loans today is more important than ever it takes a great deal of ingenuity, patience and persistence by all staff,” Rasmussen said. “Having a friendly rivalry between two credit unions and two states to see who can make the most loans over a three month period is a win for everyone. Members, both credit unions, and the staff is jazzed.

“Of course, being the superior credit union with the better staff makes this a greater win for United Advantage, but don’t tell South Bay, they might quit before we get going.”

“While reflecting on the end of a wildly successful internal competition for second quarter that yielded a 350% increase in consumer loan fundings, we couldn't imagine a more fun partner victim than United Advantage,” Oliver said. “We are excited to direct our energies in an event that ups the game for collaboration and in the end, will show South Bay victorious.”